Can I purchase DVD-Video discs with Dolby Digital soundtracks in Europe?
Yes, Dolby Digital audio is used on DVD-Video discs throughout the world (see question 9). A word of caution, though: while the audio and video technical standards are the same for DVD-Video worldwide, discs purchased in one part of the world may not play at all in another part of the world due to “regional coding.” Regional coding was developed at the behest of the film industry, which often releases videos of movies in North America before theyve even reached movie theaters in other parts of the world. Discs released in a market like North America (Region 1) can be coded to play only on players manufactured for that market. Take a Region 1-coded disc to another part of the world, and it wont work in the players manufactured for that market. Some discs, on the other hand, are coded as Region 0, meaning they will play on all DVD players in all regions. Check the packaging to find out if the disc has any regional limitations.
